Lenovo revs its engines and unveils new rebate scheme

Value added resellers from the UAE market join Lenovo for a day on the tracks at the Dubai Autodrome as the PC vendor explains changes to its channel programme.

Lenovo has unveiled a revamped rebate programme for channel partners in the region and introduced a new scheme in collaboration with Microsoft.

The announcements were made at the vendor's recent partner gathering, held at the Dubai Autodrome, which was attended by Lenovo's value added resellers in the UAE. It now plans to run similar events across the Middle East.

Lenovo's modified channel programme heralds the introduction of rebates based on performance respective to the size of the channel partner and its level of engagement with the vendor.

Mohamed Sharaf, regional marketing director at Lenovo, explained: "We used to give rebates to the channel regardless of the level of commitment they present to Lenovo, but now we have divided our channel into different financial capabilities and size of operations. We have defined appropriate targets based on these criteria for our channel," he added.

Under the new scheme, partners which surpass their tier's targets will receive a larger rebate than those who only just manage to hit that target. "You have to recognise that each partner is individual," he added. "This makes it a more effective tool in ensuring they hit their targets and generate healthy business."

Lenovo is also running a joint initiative with Microsoft - dubbed ‘Office Ready' - based on Microsoft Office 2007 being preloaded on laptops. Under ‘Office Ready' new Lenovo laptop buyers can purchase a key to unlock Office 2007 already installed on their computer. "The key opens the full version of Office 2007, and Lenovo is the first vendor to introduce the Office logo on its laptops," claimed Sharaf.

Meanwhile, Lenovo's global HQ has recently confirmed plans to establish a consumer business unit. However, management have refuted suggestions that this move is a precursor to the vendor being split into two separate companies.